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Taiwan counts presidential votes Opposition's Ma leads Taiwan vote
(about 2 hours later)
Ballots are being counted in Taiwan, as the island decides who is to succeed Chen Shui-bian as president. The opposition candidate in Taiwan's presidential election, Ma Ying-jeou, is surging ahead as votes are counted, according to local television stations.
Frank Hsieh, of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, faces a tough battle against Ma Ying-jeou of the Kuomintang. The Kuomintang's Mr Ma was leading by between 16 and 18 percentage points with more than 70% of votes counted.
Both candidates advocate closer economic ties with China than the staunch nationalist Mr Chen, but differ over the pace and degree of change. He faces Frank Hsieh of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party in the race to succeed Chen Shui-bian.
Both candidates advocate closer economic ties with China than the staunch nationalist Mr Chen.
But they differ over the pace and degree of change.
Among voters waiting to cast their ballots on Saturday the economy was one of the most commonly cited concerns.Among voters waiting to cast their ballots on Saturday the economy was one of the most commonly cited concerns.
Over 17 million people are eligible to vote and turnout is expected to be high.Over 17 million people are eligible to vote and turnout is expected to be high.
Polling stations closed at 1600 (0800GMT), with results expected in a few hours. Official results are expected soon.
'Resume dialogue' Trade and China
Mr Ma, whose party has traditionally taken a more conciliatory line towards Beijing, has led consistently in opinion polls. Mr Ma, whose party has traditionally taken a more conciliatory line towards Beijing, has led consistently in opinion polls, but in recent days some analysts believed the gap had narrowed.
But analysts believe Mr Hsieh may have narrowed the gap in the race to replace President Chen Shui-bian.
Taiwanese share their views on the presidential raceIn picturesTaiwanese share their views on the presidential raceIn pictures
The economy has been central to the election campaign, and is linked with policy towards China.The economy has been central to the election campaign, and is linked with policy towards China.
China says that Taiwan is part of its territory, although the two have been separately governed since 1949. It has threatened to use force if the island moves towards formal independence.China says that Taiwan is part of its territory, although the two have been separately governed since 1949. It has threatened to use force if the island moves towards formal independence.
Many Taiwanese think closer links with Beijing would help revive the island's faltering economy - but ties have been strained under President Chen because of his pro-independence stance.Many Taiwanese think closer links with Beijing would help revive the island's faltering economy - but ties have been strained under President Chen because of his pro-independence stance.
Mr Ma wants to act quickly, proposing the introduction of direct flights to the mainland and the easing restrictions on investment in China, calling for the creation of a "common market".Mr Ma wants to act quickly, proposing the introduction of direct flights to the mainland and the easing restrictions on investment in China, calling for the creation of a "common market".
He has also touted the agreement of a formal peace treaty with China.
His rival has been more cautious, promising dialogue with China while pledging to defend Taiwan's sovereignty.His rival has been more cautious, promising dialogue with China while pledging to defend Taiwan's sovereignty.
"In the past the DPP was criticised for not opening up but I will be more compromising, I will do better," Mr Hsieh said as the campaign drew to a close."In the past the DPP was criticised for not opening up but I will be more compromising, I will do better," Mr Hsieh said as the campaign drew to a close.
Voting in the southern city of Kaohsiung on Saturday morning, he opened his arms wide and said: "I have this much confidence."Voting in the southern city of Kaohsiung on Saturday morning, he opened his arms wide and said: "I have this much confidence."
Mr Ma cast his vote in a church in Taipei.Mr Ma cast his vote in a church in Taipei.
"We want to normalise the trade and investment relationship with the mainland as we have done with other parts of the world," he told reporters afterwards, according to AFP news agency."We want to normalise the trade and investment relationship with the mainland as we have done with other parts of the world," he told reporters afterwards, according to AFP news agency.
'Second Tibet''Second Tibet'
The recent unrest in Tibet also become an election issue, with both men speaking out against Beijing.The recent unrest in Tibet also become an election issue, with both men speaking out against Beijing.
Profile: Frank HsiehProfile: Ma Ying-jeouQ&A: Taiwan electionsProfile: Frank HsiehProfile: Ma Ying-jeouQ&A: Taiwan elections
Earlier this week Mr Ma talked of a possible Olympic boycott if the situation there deteriorated, though he said on Friday he would not "push the issue to the extreme".Earlier this week Mr Ma talked of a possible Olympic boycott if the situation there deteriorated, though he said on Friday he would not "push the issue to the extreme".
The BBC's Caroline Gluck in Taiwan says it is unclear how much the events in Tibet will sway voters, as many had already made up their minds about which way to vote. Mr Hsieh, meanwhile, had argued he would be the best protector of Taiwan's sovereignty, warning that his rival could make Taiwan a "second Tibet".
But if anything, she says, it could benefit the DPP's Mr Hsieh, who says he will be the best protector of Taiwan's sovereignty, warning that his rival could make Taiwan a "second Tibet". The BBC's Caroline Gluck in Taiwan says it was unclear how much the events in Tibet would sway voters, as many had already made up their minds about which way to vote.
Also on Saturday, voters were being asked to cast a ballot in two competing referendums on whether Taiwan should join the UN.Also on Saturday, voters were being asked to cast a ballot in two competing referendums on whether Taiwan should join the UN.
The more controversial version asks voters if the island should seek membership under the name Taiwan, rather than the island's official name, the Republic of China.The more controversial version asks voters if the island should seek membership under the name Taiwan, rather than the island's official name, the Republic of China.
Many countries, including the US, have protested, saying the vote is unnecessarily provocative.Many countries, including the US, have protested, saying the vote is unnecessarily provocative.
Are you in Taiwan? Have you voted? Send us your comments using the post form below:Are you in Taiwan? Have you voted? Send us your comments using the post form below:
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